ZEITGEIST Cypherblade's Zeitgeist campaign

Cypherblade

Explorer
Hey folks,
In a couple of months I will start with the Gears of Revolution AP for my roleplay group.
So I'm in the middle of preparations and thanks to a lot of people here, I found a huge amount of advice and material to augment the experience of my players.
Thank you all for this awesome content!

On one thing in chapter 12 'The Grinding Gears of Heaven' I didn't find a satisfactory answer on the boards. let me explain....

In Chapter 12 Part 1, the party crash lands on Av and while trying to save some fey, Av breaks apart, consumed by the grinding gears of the Gyre.
In Part 2 there is some reference to Av as being plane 53 on the map which sits all way back, farthest from the destruction of the cogwheels.

How do I have to understand this? Is this a fundamental flaw in the AP? Did I misread this? Or are the remnants of Av thrown across the Gyre and will they be processed again in some distant future?

Thanks for clarification.

Hope to keep you all posted on further developments in short notice.
 

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A bit of badly documented session, prepping the voyage to Danor and Vendricce
Lord Price-Hill strongly impresses upon us that we must not go so far as to get ourselves captured. Intelligence gathering takes priority—preferably in the form of documents, or possibly even a kidnapping if the opportunity presents itself. Infiltrating the planned meeting itself seems, to him (and to us), far too dangerous.

The journey will take a week, which gives us ample time to establish contact with the Obscurati.

“We could simply find their rings with Locate Object,” Ayleen suggests.
Felix counters that the rings are specifically warded against detection.
Unfortunately, he is correct.

Stover Delft is appointed acting director of the RHC now that Lady Saxby has disappeared. Lauryn cannot remain, so we will have to prepare the journey ourselves. We have seven to eight weeks before we board the train.

Kane allocates part of the budget to acquire a +1 breastplate and a +1 shield.
Other equipment can be supplemented as needed.

The train journey takes six days, and each evening stop is in a Danoran enclave with hotels and proper accommodations.
  • First class: half a carriage with four beds, a private salon, and access to the dining car.
  • Second class: compartments for six, no beds, but still access to the dining car.
  • Coach: simply seating.




31 Autumn 500 AOV​

That evening we are assigned to guard the gala at the museum. Rock Rackus has invited himself and, naturally, brought along a number of fans and groupies.

Staf shakes his hand—subtly checking whether he is wearing an Obscurati ring. He also questions Rock about his supposed journey to the moon.

Rock claims he found a scroll in the basement of a library in some ruin. On the moon, during what he describes as an “orgy,” he allegedly seduced the Queen of the Fey, who rewarded him with his golden pistol. Of course, he cannot remember exactly where this happened—somewhere near the ziggurat in the Malice Lands.

He also points out artifacts recovered during that expedition. Bergeron had a golden seal shipped to Danor; Finona Duval was involved as well. That ziggurat apparently had something to do with fire.

Ayleen casts Detect Magic and Detect Planar Energy, but senses no significant magical items or any strong traces of recent planar energies.

Preparation for the Infiltration

Each week, each member may contribute 1 action point
(Maximum of 35 if everyone contributes consistently; crafting time does not count as contribution.)

Action points may be spent on:
  • Secrecy: How we keep our preparations within the RHC concealed.
  • False Identities: The quality and resilience of our covers on the train.
  • Contingencies: Additional plans for complications along the journey.
 

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Ingame newspaper, half the articles are players input, half is my input.
Newspaper is in Dutch, but here's the translation:
ATTACK ON RHC CONFIRMS THREAT: FROM WITHOUT AND WITHIN
New information regarding the recent attack on the headquarters of the Royal Homeland Constabulary points to a troubling collaboration between extradimensional entities and the notorious Kell Cartel. Flint was thus confronted not only with a threat from beyond our world, but also with betrayal from within the city itself.

According to sources within the investigation, members of the Kell network facilitated the intrusion and provided logistical support for the operation. That criminal structures in Flint appear willing to cooperate with what experts describe as “extraplanar beings” has prompted sharp reactions in political circles.

The city administration and several members of parliament are calling on citizens and businesses to cease all cooperation with the Kell Cartel. “Those who do business with organizations that undermine Flint’s security indirectly contribute to its weakening,” reads a parliamentary statement.

Observers note that the Kell Cartel thereby confirms its reputation as a purely profit-driven organization, regardless of the consequences for the city.

THREAT NEUTRALIZED

With regard to the extradimensional component, the RHC confirms that the immediate threat has been neutralized. At present, there are no indications that the entities involved remain active within city limits. The investigation into their origin and motives continues.

FORCE EMERGES STRONGER FROM THE CRISIS

Remarkably, despite the severity of the attack, the RHC appears to have emerged organizationally strengthened. The recent disappearance of former director Margaret Saxby takes on a different perspective in that light. An internal audit, completed shortly before her departure, reportedly found significant shortcomings in her performance in terms of coordination and oversight.


The force states that reforms have since been implemented and that operational effectiveness has noticeably increased.

LEADERSHIP UNDER KANE KELRIN


Special praise is directed at the team of Chief Inspector Kane Kelrin, a veteran from the early years of the RHC. According to official sources, his unit played a crucial role in defending headquarters and neutralizing the threat within the city’s underground infrastructure.


Kelrin’s recent promotion is described within the force as confirmation of renewed and steadfast leadership. In a brief statement, he emphasized that “vigilance and unity form the best defense against both visible and invisible enemies.”


The attack on the RHC was a serious trial. That Flint remains safe today is, according to the force, the result of swift coordination, experienced leadership, and the determination to yield no ground.

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN


Staf Overflorijn, former inspector with the Royal Homeland Constabulary, has submitted his resignation following a recent demotion within the force. He will assume a leadership position within his family’s tobacco company, Overflorijn & Co., both parties confirmed.


Within the RHC, Overflorijn was known for his involvement in several sensitive investigations in Flint. The precise reason for his demotion was not publicly disclosed. In a brief statement, the RHC said the departure occurred “by mutual agreement” and that Overflorijn leaves the force “with recognition for his dedication and professional contribution.”

TIMING RAISES QUESTIONS

The resignation follows shortly after the still unresolved disappearance of former director Margaret Saxby, an घटना that placed the force under both internal and external pressure. Although the RHC has confirmed no link between the two matters, several observers point to the remarkable timing.

Parliamentary sources emphasize that there are no official indications that Overflorijn was involved in the circumstances surrounding Saxby’s departure. At the same time, it is acknowledged that recent reshuffles within the force are taking place during a period of heightened institutional sensitivity.

An RHC spokesperson stated that “personnel decisions are separate from ongoing investigations” and that the force remains committed to transparency within the boundaries of the law.

RETURN TO THE FAMILY BUSINESS

With his transition, Overflorijn returns to the family company, which holds a significant share in tobacco processing and distribution in Flint and surrounding regions. According to a company statement, he will focus on strategic expansion and internal organization.

Overflorijn himself stated that he remains “proud of his years of public service” and now wishes to focus on “sustainable economic development within a family tradition.”

Whether his departure is purely a personal choice or part of broader changes within the RHC will become clear in the coming months.

TOBACCO PRICES RISE SHARPLY


Smokers across Flint were surprised this week when reviewing the price lists of their regular cigar and pipe tobacco suppliers. Several merchants confirm price increases ranging from five to as much as twelve percent, depending on origin and quality. Official explanations refer to “logistical disruptions” and “scarcity of selected leaves.”


The family company Overflorijn & Co., one of the most influential players in tobacco processing around Parity Lake, significantly expanded its storage capacity and distribution contracts in recent months. According to port records, several smaller producers were acquired or placed under exclusive supply contracts. Critics speak of a strategic consolidation that makes the market tighter than necessary.


A company spokesperson denies any form of price manipulation. “The increase merely reflects international market pressure and higher transport costs. We are in fact ensuring stability in uncertain times,” the statement reads. Nevertheless, independent merchants point out that alternative suppliers have suddenly become harder to reach and that certain blends appear temporarily available only through distributors affiliated with Overflorijn.


The timing fuels speculation. Shortly after internal shifts within the company — in which a former public figure is said to have resumed a role in the corporate structure — expansion visibly accelerated. Whether this is coincidence or the beginning of a deliberate repositioning of the tobacco market remains unclear for now.


For the moment, one thing seems certain: smoke is rising not only from Flint’s pipes, but also from the boardrooms where decisions are made about who controls the market — and at what price.

ARMY PRACTICES NEW TACTICS IN THE WEST BAYOU

Unusual military activity has been observed in recent days in the marshy outskirts of the West Bayou. Units of the Risuri army conducted large-scale exercises which, according to official communication, are aimed at “adapting to unconventional threats and terrain conditions.”


The West Bayou, known for its dense mists, unpredictable tides, and treacherous peat grounds, forms a challenging training area. Witnesses report mobile pontoon bridges, light artillery tested on floating platforms, and infantry units maneuvering in small, independently operating groups. Cooperation between regular troops and specialized magically assisted scouts was also reported.


An army spokesperson emphasized that the exercises are “purely defensive in nature” and fit within a broader modernization of doctrine and equipment. “Recent events have shown that threats are no longer limited to conventional battlefields. The army must be prepared for diverse scenarios, including urban infiltration and operations in difficult terrain.”


Military analysts point out that the focus on small-scale, flexible units deviates from the traditional line tactics that Risur employed for decades. The emphasis appears to lie on rapid response, improved coordination between land and water components, and securing infrastructure in vulnerable regions such as the delta around Flint.


The exercises are expected to continue for several more days. At present, there are no indications that the maneuvers are linked to a concrete threat. Nevertheless, they underline that the security situation in and around Flint continues to evolve — and that the army is visibly preparing for a new reality.


Security experts stress that the incident demonstrates how real such threats can be, and how necessary a well-funded and decisive security service remains.
 

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